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One of the best audio tours I ve experienced for a...

One of the best audio tours I ve experienced for ages (I normally hate them). This castle/fortified home is stunning. It s small, but you can explore freely, the surrounding area is beautiful, and there s a good walk too. Good cake in the tea room too.

Great place to visit and if you join English Herit...

Great place to visit and if you join English Heritage it's free!

We had a great afternoon exploring medieval England with characters explaining how things were. Our favourite was the fletcher who showed us arrows and he was a real expert, so we now have a greater understanding of history and why English bows were superior to the French!

A fortified 13th century manor house rather than a...

A fortified 13th century manor house rather than a castle, this is a real hidden gem not really visible from the road so I suspect it's missed by most people. Visiting Stokesay is a bit like stepping onto a Tim Burton film set (just search for it on Instagram for proof): it's so perfectly atmospheric and photogenic with it's glowing warm yellow gatehouse, and wonky leaded casement windows overlooking the graveyard.

The audio guide (which is FREE!) is essential and gives a fascinating history of the place. It's hard to imagine just what a bustling hive of activity this place would have been in its heyday. (Note: if you're not good with stairs and/or uneven surfaces, Stokesay is not going to be great for you I'm afraid.)

If you can manage it (it's only 2 flights of steps), make sure you head to the top of the South Tower for magnificent views across the Shropshire contryside, and down onto the impressive and lichen-covered roof of the Great Hall: I've visited on a sunny day in Autumn, which was glorious all long shadows and golden, glowing trees with cows paddling in the mill pond and a damp, foggy day which gave the full spooky, Sleepy Hollow effect... I was half expecting to see a headless horseman galloping out of the graveyard.

Either way, it looks to me like they may need a few more funds to keep this place in good working order, so just get yourself there and immerse yourself in the magic. Then afterwards, head up the road into Ludlow for a spot of lunch/dinner... The perfect day out.

PS There's a shop, and very little tea room so don't expect much choice, but I've had perfectly good tea and scones both times I've visited. It's one of those places that leave you knowing you'll come back again one day...

Excellent visit, the audio guide is brilliant. A l...

Excellent visit, the audio guide is brilliant. A lot of history in a beautiful setting. A really interesting building with fantastic views of the surrounding countryside from the top of the tower.

A wonderful out of the way castle that's half a ru...

A wonderful out of the way castle that's half a ruin in a picturesque valley. Make sure to get the audio guide for the full experience as there aren't many information panels. Lots of stairs so not very accessible. Takes around one hour with the audio guide.

Beautiful inside and out and it history is fascina...

Beautiful inside and out and it history is fascinating, the love heart shaped rooms in the tower are a wonderful example of how love was expressed with such grand gestures in those days, the gift shop is well laid out with some beautiful jewellery pieces, staff throughout are friendly and helpful.

They have improved this since the last time we vis...

They have improved this since the last time we visited a few years ago. A good audio tour making the most of the history of the castle. Lovely staff in the shop / reception too. A good hour's visit plus however long you spend in the tea shop!

A beautiful fortified Norman Manor House with a 17...

A beautiful fortified Norman Manor House with a 17th century gatehouse, Stokesay remains beautiful. The location is idyllic, next to a Norman church in serene Shropshire countryside. Built for Laurence of Ludlow in the thirteenth century, it was clearly intended to demonstrate his status and wealth. He made his fortune through the wool trade. The manor house is fortified, not so much against any military attack, but against any who who would cover his money. The star of this building is the oak beamed roof of the great hall. Quite magnificent. If you're in the area, a visit us highly recommended. Members of English Heritage have free entrance, of course.

A lovely place to visit with beautiful views. Spen...

A lovely place to visit with beautiful views. Spent about an hour wandering around the buildings, following the tour in the guide book. Friendly staff & lovely food in the tearoom too.

Loved it

Loved it
Full of history.
Tea room 10 out of 10.
Staff lovely

A wonderful place. The fact it has survived so muc...

A wonderful place. The fact it has survived so much time and turmoil and is still here, as intact as it is, is remarkable! I'd seen this lovely place off to the side every time I'd caught the train from Hereford, and I'd always promised I'd go and visit. Well, it took years to finally stop procrastinating, now I just regret that it took me so long! Don't be like me - GO NOW!!

Utterly amazing

Utterly amazing
arrived on a day when it was pouring with rain....which added to the atmosphere of this amazing place.....
we are regular visitors to shropshire....but after travelling a lot in the uk.. this must be the best of the lot.....i just cannot wait to revisist...theres so much information on the past , the present, and the life of this place.

just love it.....any one interested in history ...then this is a must

A national wonder. Excellent history with audio to...

A national wonder. Excellent history with audio tour. 13th century on. Cafe excellent food and staff. Large eating area outside for those with packed lunch catering for their own dietary requirements. Membership at 8.5 per month fantastic value.

Beautiful fortified ancient manor house. Things & ...

Beautiful fortified ancient manor house. Things & activities for the kids. Good for history & architecture buffs. Tea room very good but not cheap, well worth it. If on a tight budget take a picnic etc. Picnic tables etc on lawn in car park.

Didn't expect the castle to be so interesting. The...

Didn't expect the castle to be so interesting. The site did not look that big. We used the audio tour and found this added to the experience.
Staff very friendly and was gin day so enjoyed a taster.
The church adjacent also worth a walk round.
Well worth a visit.

Lovely little fortified manor (its not really a ca...

Lovely little fortified manor (its not really a castle), however its ridiculously expensive for what's on offer. Not worth the entrance fee in my opinion. Surrounding countryside is lovely and the tearooms/cafe by the car park serves some nice food at mid range prices. Dogs are welcome outside and they have water bowls dotted around.

A wonderful place. A one stop shop for a great day...

A wonderful place. A one stop shop for a great day out. The grounds include a church, a castle, a great hall and a walled enclave. With stunning surroundings and great facilities which include a gift shop, toilets and a charming tea room you are sure to have a brilliant time at Stokesay.

Small but interesting castle

Small but interesting castle
Very friendly helpful and knowledgeable staff brilliant well worth the visit
Stunning views from the top tower